Tag: ruckus

Wifi 6 Technology & The Best Access Points To Recommend

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On March 26, 2021

Wifi 6 Technology & The Best Access Points To Recommend
aruba cisco meraki fortiap fortinet meraki ruckus ruckus unleashed ruckus wireless wifi wireless wireless access points wireless network

What Is Wifi 6

Wifi 6 refers to the latest generation of wireless technology, also known as 802.11ax. Another name for this new standard is High Efficiency Wifi. It replaces 802.11ac, which now goes by Wifi 5. Wireless access points and routers incorporating the technology are increasingly ubiquitous. And many new smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other connected devices are Wifi 6-certified to take full advantage of its performance capabilities.

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How Is Wifi 6 Different Than Wifi 5

Wifi 6 offers several advantages over Wifi 5 when it comes to speed, performance, and even security. First, speed – often referred to as throughput – can max out around 10 Gbps for a Wifi 6 device, compared to 7 Gbps for Wifi 5. While that’s an obvious upgrade, performance accounts for a significantly greater boost – some 400% in what’s called throughput per area.

What does that mean? It means more devices can connect in high-density areas with low to no latency. In other words, it’s real-world speed. Finally, security is better, too, as Wifi 6 supports WPA3 encryption standards, the most secure version of Wifi Protected Access protocol.

Why Upgrade to Wifi 6

While manufacturers seem to release new access points and routers constantly, an upgrade from a prior generation model to Wifi 6 is worth strong consideration. Wifi 6 supports more connected devices at greater speeds with better security than its predecessors. And the differences are significant. To recap:

  • Top speed more than a third better than the previous best
  • Throughput per area is 4 times better
  • And latency is 75% lower

These all represent major leaps in performance, and along with security improvements, make a strong argument for upgrading.

Which Brands Already Carry Wifi 6 Access Points

Several brands now offer Wifi 6 access points, with more on the way. Firewalls.com carries Wifi 6 access points from Fortinet, Aruba, Ruckus, and Cisco Meraki. Models range from small business/small office options to large enterprise and even stadiums and arenas. This generation of access points comes with indoor and outdoor options as well.

What Are The Recommended Wifi 6 Access Point Models

With the growing number of Wifi 6 access points now on the market, finding the right fit for a given scenario can be a challenge. So to meet that challenge and sift through the clutter, here are a few recommended Wifi 6 access points to suit varying business needs.

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For Easy Deployment

Aruba Instant On AP22

Aruba AP22

It doesn’t get much easier than instant, does it? The Aruba Instant On AP22 offers a quick way into the Wifi 6 world. As its name suggests, you can basically turn it on and have wireless ready to go. This is ideal for a small business with limited staff or small branch office scenario.

And while the ease of deployment is nice, the AP22 also comes packed full of features at an affordable price. It includes mounting hardware, simple management tools, and even built-in security features like firewalling and application control, with no need for external controllers.

Tech Specs

  • Deployment: Indoor
  • Performance: 2×2:2 MU-MIMO
  • Mesh Support: Smart Mesh Wi-Fi
  • Throughput: 1.774 Gbps
  • PoE: PoE 802.3af

For Network Integration

Fortinet FortiAP 231F

MR44

Chances are if you’re a small to mid-size business, you already have a firewall. Maybe you even have a switch and endpoint, too. And if those solutions happen to be from one of the top security vendors out there, Fortinet, then this FortiAP 231F is a good pick for your entrée into Wifi 6.

The FortiAP 231F places you firmly into the Fortinet Security Fabric, which allows all your Fortinet solutions to communicate seamlessly with one another with single-pane-of-glass management. As far as what this access point offers specifically, it includes built-in security and a third radio for beacon and location-scanning. It can also optionally be managed through the cloud and is more than capable outside the Fortinet ecosystem as well.

Tech Specs

  • Deployment: Indoor
  • Performance: 2×2:2 MU-MIMO
  • Mesh Support: Yes
  • Throughput: 1.2 Gbps
  • PoE: PoE+ 802.3at

Look to the Cloud

Cisco Meraki MR44

MR44

Cisco Meraki is pretty well-known as a pioneer in the cloud space, and you can be a pioneer both there and in Wifi 6 by choosing the MR44 access point. The MR44 comes with Meraki’s noted cloud management architecture, which eliminates the need for traditional wireless controllers. It also offers zero-touch deployment, easy visibility and control throughout the network, and seamless firmware updates.

The MR44 itself is an enterprise grade access point, so if your performance demands are a little higher, it’s a great fit. As with other APs noted in this piece, Meraki’s MR Series features built-in security, plus a dedicated extra radio. And if you’re already a Meraki customer for other solutions, it integrates especially nicely.

Tech Specs

  • Deployment: Indoor
  • Performance: 4×4:4 MU-MIMO
  • Mesh Support: Self-healing, Zero-configuration
  • Throughput: 3 Gbps
  • PoE: PoE+ 802.3af/at

Let’s Take It Outside

Ruckus T750

Our previous three access points were designed for indoor deployments, but this AP from Ruckus doesn’t care where you set it up. The T750 offers the performance of Wifi 6 with IP-67 durability to withstand rough conditions, indoors or outdoors. When it comes to deployment options, think stadiums, airports, convention centers, and the like. Each individual T750 can handle over 1,000 users at once.

Ruckus offers the T750 in the controller-less Unleashed model as well as the traditional ZoneFlex option. Both are easy to deploy and manage. And they boast other special features, like built-in IoT radios, BeamFlex antennas to optimize connectivity, and the security of the aforementioned WPA3.

Tech Specs

  • Deployment: Outdoor
  • Performance: 4×4:4 MU-MIMO
  • Mesh Support: SmartMesh
  • Throughput: 2.4 Gbps
  • PoE: PoE++ 802.3bt

So these are just a few examples to help you navigate the wonderful world of Wifi 6. But wait, there’s more! Browse all the Wifi 6 options Firewalls.com has to offer. And if you need to talk it through a bit more, chat with an expert on our site or call 866-645-2140.

The Best Wireless Access Points of 2020

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On October 28, 2020

The Best Wireless Access Points of 2020
fortiap ruckus ruckus unleashed ruckus wireless sonicwave sonicwave AP wifi wireless wireless access points wireless network

Setting up wifi is a business imperative in 2020, and that means finding the best wireless access points is, too. The days of wireless networking being an option are long gone. But how do you go from knowing you need wifi to making it happen? What are the best options for getting your unique needs addressed and your network up and running? Why are we asking so many questions? Read on for the answers, and for the best wireless access points of 2020…

What does a wireless access point do?

A wireless access point in essence creates your wireless network. With it, you’re connecting to a hard-wired router, network switch, or other hub. In many business settings, that means not only offering access to the internet, but also to your workplace network, including its applications, files, etcetera. With the right wireless access point, you get built-in security and the ability to add separate guest wifi.

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Which is better, wifi extender or access point?

A wireless access point is better than a wifi extender when it comes to performance and configuration capabilities. While extenders are normally less expensive, you get what you pay for. An extender replicates an existing network transmitted from a router, and extends its reach. However, the quality of the connection degrades. A wireless access point creates its own network, ensuring top notch performance for those in range. And you can manage and configure access points to your needs.

How do I choose a wireless access point?

Choosing a wireless access point comes down to which factors are most important to you. Access points come with a variety of radio and bandwidth options that affect performance. So it’s important to consider how many users will need access simultaneously and your connection speed.

Also, consider your space – as in walls that could hamper signal strength, wiring to power the devices (PoE options are available), and how you’ll mount the devices (wall, ceiling, indoor/outdoor). While some deployment scenarios only require one access point, many often need multiple APs to ensure quality connectivity.

Security and management are additional factors. Each manufacturer offers its own management platform to gain visibility into your network and configure it to your needs. And built-in security options vary. Let’s dive into the best wireless access points of 2020.

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The Best Wireless Access Points of 2020

SonicWall SonicWave 231c

Key Specs

  • Performance: 2×2:2 MU-MIMO
  • Wireless Standard: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 2
  • PoE: None
  • Deployment: Indoor (Ceiling)

What makes SonicWall SonicWave 231c one of the best wireless access points of 2020?

SonicWaves are the latest and greatest wireless access points from SonicWall. They offer Wave 2 wifi performance, allowing for more users with less lag. On top of that, the SonicWave 231c and its siblings integrates with the robust security of SonicWall NGFWs. That security extends to the AP itself, too, with a dedicated third radio focused on security. Plus, even if you don’t have a SonicWall firewall, it comes equipped with advanced security services like the Capture ATP sandbox on its own. In addition, you can manage the SonicWave through your SonicWall firewall, or with SonicWall’s WiFi Cloud Manager – an intuitive, cloud-based WiFi network management system ideal for networks of any size.

WatchGuard AP225W

Key Specs

  • Performance: 2×2:2 MU-MIMO
  • Wireless Standard: 802.11ac Wave 2
  • PoE: 802.3at PoE+
  • Deployment: Indoor (Wall/Ceiling)

What makes WatchGuard AP225W one of the best wireless access points of 2020?

The AP225W also features Wave 2 wireless. Plus, it combines that performance with the security of one of the Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS) out there. The WIPS detects and IDs access points and client devices to intelligently prevent six known categories of Wi-Fi threats. The best part? It does this without noticeably impacting performance. And another best part? security scanning and enforcement continues even if your connection is interrupted. On top of that, you get access to WatchGuard’s Wi-Fi Cloud management. This provides visibility, troubleshooting, and configuration capabilities in one place. Plus, it makes setup a snap. You can get your AP225W up and running in less than two minutes after connecting to the cloud. And as for deployment, its PoE+ capabilities make it simple to connect and turn on with one cord – whether you choose a wall or ceiling.

Fortinet FortiAP 431F

Key Specs

  • Performance: 4×4:4 MU-MIMO
  • Wireless Standard: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6
  • PoE: PoE 802.3at
  • Deployment: Indoor (Wall/Ceiling)

What makes Fortinet FortiAP 431F one of the best wireless access points of 2020?

The FortiAP 431F, along with its siblings in the newly created F-series (the 433F and 231F) are the newest access points on this list. That newness also means the latest in wireless performance, with 802.11ax – better known as WiFi 6. WiFi 6 access points are faster and have more capacity than previous generations. And with the FortiAP 431F, you’re getting a top of the line device. It features four radios, five internal antennas (or antennae), and 24/7 scanning across both wireless bands while still providing access on both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. You also have the flexibility of Power over Ethernet and wall or ceiling deployment options. Fortinet keeps security top of mind as well, with built-in wireless security, integration into the Fortinet Security Fabric, and management either through your FortiGate firewall or the FortiAP Cloud provisioning and management portal.

Cisco Meraki MR70

Key Specs

  • Performance: 2×2:2 MU MIMO
  • Wireless Standard: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 2
  • PoE: PoE 802.3af
  • Deployment: Outdoor

What makes Cisco Meraki MR70 one of the best wireless access points of 2020?

We couldn’t make a top wireless access points list without including an outdoor option. And Cisco Meraki’s MR70 does just that, providing enterprise-grade security and simple management
in a ruggedized, IP67-rated form factor which protects it from the elements. Just as with our other best-ofs, Meraki doesn’t skimp on security. The MR70 boasts Air Marshal, a built-in WIPS for threat detection and remediation. Plus, it’s managed through the Meraki cloud, which monitors your AP around the clock and ensures you always get the latest firmware updates as soon as they’re out – protecting you from any emerging issues. It also makes setup a snap, with self-configuring, rapid plug-and-play deployment. The physical device has internal antennas, PoE, and plenty of Wave 2 connectivity juice, too.

Ruckus Unleashed R610

Key Specs

  • Performance: 3×3:3 MU MIMO
  • Wireless Standard: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 2
  • PoE: PoE 802.3af/at
  • Deployment: Indoor (Wall/Ceiling/Desk)

What makes Ruckus Unleashed R610 one of the best wireless access points of 2020?

For our final entry on this list, we’re going controller-less. Ruckus Unleashed wireless access points don’t require separate controllers and access point licenses to run your wifi, significantly
reducing upfront costs. As a matter of fact, the R610 can handle up to 25 access points with no controller necessary. The R610 also integrates BeamFlex+, which continually forms and directs each wifi packet over the best performing signal path. And it adapts in real time to anticipate hand-held device movement and rotation – because mobile devices are just that, mobile – ensuring consistent performance. This technology also boosts coverage, meaning you’ll need fewer APs to cover the same area. The R610 features multiple power over ethernet options, a wide range of mounting possibilities, and simple deployment.

 

Looking for the best wireless access points for your small business?

Give us a call at 866-957-2975 to find the perfect fit!

Shopping for email security, endpoint, or ransomware protection? Check these out, too:

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Ruckus Wireless indoor & outdoor wireless APs fit any budget

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On May 11, 2020

Ruckus Wireless indoor & outdoor wireless APs fit any budget
ruckus wap

Ruckus Wireless indoor & outdoor wireless APs fit any budget

Ruckus Wireless takes wireless security to the next level with its ZoneFlex and Unleashed wireless access point families. Ruckus is shaping the future of connectivity – its ICX network switches can make even the most complex wireless network deployments possible. Whether you’re looking to extend fast, secure Wi-Fi to a classroom, hotel room, or hospital room, Ruckus Wireless has you covered with high-performance, next generation appliances.

Ruckus security made easy

Small businesses, retail spaces, hotels, schools–no matter the venue, wireless devices are multiplying and growing hungrier for bandwidth every year. Running a small business in 2020 means secure, high-performance wireless connectivity is a necessity, not a luxury. Ruckus security services mixed with the lightning fast speeds of its security processors means you don’t have to sacrifice speed for safety.

Not every small business has the budget or IT talent to handle a complex wireless network configuration. And still fewer SMBs have the spare time to manage a wireless security infrastructure once deployed, but Ruckus makes deployments simpler with intuitive management dashboards, affordable prices, and controller-less solutions like Ruckus Unleashed access points.

 

Choosing the right Ruckus AP

ZoneFlex R-Series Access Points are great for:

ZoneFlex T-Series Access Points are great for:

  • Outdoor hospitality spaces & common areas
  • Campus quads & satellite classrooms
  • Harbors, ports, beachside, & marinas
  • Outdoor venues & sports stadiums

ZoneFlex H-Series Access Points are great for:

  • Hotel guest rooms
  • Classrooms & hospital rooms
  • University residence halls

Ruckus Wireless Access Point Guide: Choose the best Ruckus Wireless AP for Small Business


 

Ruckus ICX Network Switches

Ruckus ICX network switches combine enterprise-grade security features with intuitive management and a flexible solution that lets small businesses easily scale up their switch solution by stacking additional network switches. If you’re paying your ISP for a gigabit Ethernet connection, why lose it to the network? Ruckus Wireless ICX switches deliver high-performance uplinks to small and mid-sized businesses.


 

Network Switches: A Video Buyer’s Guide

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On September 16, 2019

Network Switches: A Video Buyer’s Guide
fortinet network switch ruckus

A Network Switch Shopper’s Companion

Shopping in the business networking space can be a daunting task, with a variety of devices to buy, features available, performance metrics used, and brands to choose from. Network switches are no exception, with common questions including:

  • What is a network switch?
  • Why would I need one?
  • How do I pick the right one for my network?
  • What is the meaning of life? (that’s probably a question for another post)

A few months back we gave you 5 things to consider when buying a network switch. Now, we’re offering a video to take another deep dive into the world of network switches. In our new video buyer’s guide, we go over answers to some of these common questions and give you a primer on the switch-related offerings of a couple of top brands: Fortinet and Ruckus. We also spotlight the switch configuration and management services offered by our in-house network experts. Give it a quick watch here to learn more about network switches:

Ready to Shop?

Now that you’re armed with the most powerful weapon of all – information – check out our selection of network switches. To make shopping on our website easy, you can filter your selections by brand, number of ports, speed, managed vs. unmanaged, and of course price.

FIND MY SWITCH

Still have questions about network switches? Give us a call and you’ll be talking to an expert who can walk you through the process of optimizing your network’s performance and security.

866.403.5305

3 Ways to Improve Hotel Wi-Fi with Ruckus Security

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On April 26, 2019

3 Ways to Improve Hotel Wi-Fi with Ruckus Security
access points beam flex ruckus wi-fi

Veterans of the hospitality industry have witnessed a noticeable shift in the types of feedback received from their guests. Younger travelers come with high-tech expectations like USB charging ports, extra outlets for multiple devices, and, of course, fast and reliable wireless internet. Just a quick scan through review sites illuminates how prominent both complaints and praise are in regards to a hotel’s Wi-Fi. In fact, independent surveys by Forbes, TravelPulse, and eHotelier all point to Internet issues as one of the most common guest complaints. In many cases, arriving guests ask for the Wi-Fi password at check-in and attempt to connect in the lobby, meaning a hotel’s wireless network quality may be the first real impression a guest forms about their stay.

Ruckus Wireless understands that hotels come with a host of unique issues that make planning an effective wireless strategy a challenge. Hotels are large, often with multiple wings and floors, making for a lot of ground to cover. Each room comes with four walls, a ceiling, thick doors, and plenty of other barriers constructed of building materials that block or weaken signal strength. On an average night, a hotel’s wireless network needs to serve up high-performance connections to hundreds of guests. And all this doesn’t even take into consideration additional outdoor facilities such as pools, parking lots, terraces, and shuttle areas where guests arriving or departing the hotel still expect to connect.

Below, we’ll explore some of the most hospitality-friendly solutions Ruckus Wireless offers for hotels looking to boost Wi-Fi guest ratings.

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Ruckus Wall Plate Access Points

Many hotels choose to deploy wireless access points throughout their hallways in standard ceiling mounts. While this may seem practical (allowing a single access point to make the most of its effective range by reaching a cluster of surrounding rooms), this also means putting the most obstructions between guests and APs. Certain areas of a room may receive weaker signal strength than others. Some parts of the room may receive no signal at all. By putting walls in the way and making in-room guests surf the fringes of an AP’s range, hotels with ceiling-mounted access points are choosing a utilitarian but flawed solution.

Wall plate access points like the Ruckus ZoneFlex C110, Ruckus Unleashed R510, or Fortinet’s FortiAP-C24JE are designed to use existing wall data cables to provide low-profile in-room signal sources. This means guests receive the most direct Wi-Fi signal possible at a distance that makes the most of the appliance’s range.

Beam Flex Technology

Most APs are either “omnidirectional,” radiating signal in all directions like light bulbs, or “directional,” sending signals on a single vector like a flashlight. Both omnidirectional and directional APs ask clients to find exactly where to stand for the best results. Many modern vendors now make use of “beamforming” to establish targeted connections. Beamforming is a process that allows an AP to focus a WiFi signal to a specific target. Most vendors make use of beamforming by manipulating the signal processing built into their access points’ chip, also known as “transmit beamforming” or TxBF. However, a majority of devices do not support the TxBF protocol. TxBF transmitters also cannot make use of other techniques like spatial multiplexing when beamforming.

Ruckus Wireless takes signal forming to the next level with their patented BeamFlex Adaptive Antenna technology. BeamFlex uses smart, compact antenna systems containing multiple elements that manipulate antenna properties, forming personalized antenna patterns for the individual devices with which they communicate. This means Ruckus Wireless access points establish the strongest connections possible, automatically.

To stick with the lamp metaphor, where omnidirectional APs are lightbulbs and directional APs are flashlights, you can think of a Ruckus BeamFlex access point like a plasma ball. The AP will find you and reach out to initiate an optimal connection.

Wireless Heat Mapping

Custom Wi-Fi heat maps allow you to pre-plan the layout of access point deployments to find and fix wireless dead zones before installation. Ruckus’s ZonePlanner Wi-Fi RF Simulation tool lets you place and compare access points on a real, customized map of your facilities. It also takes into account variables like building materials, wall thickness, and other environmental factors. You can swap different access point models in and out to find which hardware makes the most sense for you.

Properly size new deployments for any location and predict network performance before you buy by previewing your network by channel or SSID. You can even seek out and minimize signal bleed to keep guest Wi-Fi out of sensitive areas.

Pre-planning your wireless network saves you money by preventing overspending on unnecessary access points. Firewalls.com will save you even more by mapping out your office using Ruckus ZonePlanner at no additional cost when you purchase a Ruckus access point. You send us a map of your building with as much detail as possible and we’ll send back a detailed wireless heat map showing how a variety of different Ruckus access points would fit your needs. Call us at 866-957-2975 to request a free wireless heat map report.

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See How to Get A Free Wireless Heat Map

Looking for even more ways to save money on a wireless network?

Read how Ruckus Unleashed lets you dodge the costs of wireless controllers.

What Is Ruckus Unleashed?

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On August 30, 2018

What Is Ruckus Unleashed?
ruckus ruckus unleashed WLAN

What Is Ruckus Unleashed?

Are you a small business owner looking to deploy a secure, high-speed WiFi network without hiring an expensive IT team to maintain it? Ruckus Unleashed is a series of controller-less WLAN solutions that checks all the boxes on a small business owners’ checklist: it’s affordable, easy to install, and simplified management means just about anyone can deploy their own reliable WiFi network in a few minutes. No experts required.

Since Ruckus Unleashed is a controller-less WiFi solution you won’t need to buy a separate hardware controller to utilize the full benefits of your wireless network. This translates to a much lower upfront cost without sacrificing features and benefits you would get with a dedicated controller.

How Does It Work?

Wireless access points operate on two distinct “planes” of data: the control plane and the data plane. The data plane makes up the majority of wireless signal activity and includes all of the actual traffic from web usage, client requests, and browser data. The control plane is a second, smaller dataset containing commands to direct how access points prioritize, segment, and transfer information across the data plane. Think of a controller as the “manager” and the access points as its employees.

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ruckus unleashed wireless topography

Ruckus Unleashed eliminates the need for a controller by empowering each access point to assume a manager, or “Master AP,” role as needed. Not only does a Master AP fulfill its normal function serving WiFi clients, but it also performs control functions and pushes them out to other Member APs on the network. Member APs automatically join the same subnet as their Master AP and will not attempt to join other controllers introduced to the network. If a Master AP goes offline, a Member AP will automatically step in to fill its role. This is built-in high availability, so wireless network downtime is a relic of the past.

What’s In It For Me?

A Ruckus Unleashed Master AP can manage a network of up to 50 access points without the assistance of a controller. Comparable WLAN controllers with capacity for 50 access points can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 and often require supplemental purchases of licenses and services. Since traditional wireless networks cannot operate sans controller, this expense goes straight to the front of the line as massive upfront CapEx. By eliminating the need for separate hardware to manage your network, Ruckus Unleashed gets your network up and running for a fraction of the cost of traditional solutions.

If the CapEx savings aren’t enough to start you drooling, then you’ll surely salivate over potential OpEx savings. Ruckus Unleashed was built with the small business in mind. Simple management and ease of install removes the need for IT staff. Small environments such as retail stores, hotels, and property managers may not always have a networking expert on their payroll and calling in premium support can drain the budget. Ruckus built the Unleashed series so that anyone, no matter their level of expertise, can deploy and manage their own wireless network without outside help. They even provide a Youtube guide demonstrating how to deploy a Ruckus Unleashed network in under a minute.

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Where Can I Learn More About Ruckus Unleashed?

We recently added Ruckus Wireless products to our catalog, and we included all the tech specs, datasheets, and documentation that you’ve come to expect from Firewalls.com. However, if you want a truly expert opinion before making a decision—as any smart small business owner would—then our certified network security experts are available via email at sales@firewalls.com, telephone at 317-225-4117, or live chat to help you find the perfect fit for your organization.

Your customers have come to expect fast, secure WiFi and your employees likely can’t operate without it. Ruckus Wireless provides easy answers to some of the most complex questions in wireless networking.

Visit our Ruckus Unleashed Page & Give Employees & Customers What They Crave

Without Calling in a Squad of Expensive IT Vendors Charging $250/Hour